Gulf Network
French billionaire Max-Hervé George orchestrates landmark merger creating powerful new investment platform
The alternative investment sector witnessed a transformative development last week as SWI Group officially launched, marking the culmination of a strategic merger between Icona Capital and Stoneweg. With combined assets under management exceeding US $11 billion, this newly formed entity has instantly positioned itself as a major player across multiple investment categories.
French entrepreneur Max-Hervé George, the driving force behind this integration, emphasized that the merger creates unprecedented opportunities for institutional investors seeking diversified exposure. “This key development elevates both organizations into a truly global platform with specialized expertise across complementary sectors,” he noted during the announcement.
Spearheaded by co-CEOs Max-Hervé George (former CEO of Icona Capital) and Jaume Sabater (former CEO of Stoneweg), SWI Group is poised to leverage its international network of over 350 professionals across 18 countries to pursue investments through two specialized divisions.
Icona Alternatives will spearhead activities in Private Equity, Venture Capital, Special Situations, Liquid Strategy, Private Credit, and Sports & Entertainment, while Stoneweg Real Assets concentrates on Hospitality, Logistics, Offices, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Data Centers, and Experiential Ventures.
The formation comes on the heels of a significant $303 million acquisition of Cromwell Property Group’s European fund management platform and affiliated co-investments, which includes a 27.8% stake in Cromwell European REIT. This has added $4.2 billion in real estate assets under management, thereby substantially broadening SWI Group’s European footprint.
According to Max-Hervé George, SWI’s strength lies in the union between its two companies, for it now provides enhanced efficiency and expanded international reach that delivers more attractive investment opportunities than either organization could offer independently. “Our approach centers on diversification and long-term value creation through expertise across multiple asset classes,” he explained.
Industry analysts view this coalition as particularly timely, arriving amid growing institutional demand for alternative investments with strong risk-adjusted returns. The merger’s scale enables SWI Group to offer institutional-grade investment products with the agility typically associated with boutique investment firms.
Max-Hervé George’s vision for SWI Group reflects his broader investment philosophy of combining a global perspective with specialized local knowledge—a philosophy that is further reflected in the new brand’s USP: a global presence anchored by local talent who are veterans in their chosen fields and who boast unparalleled local knowledge and networks that are extremely pertinent to such specialized jobs.
The group’s dual-division structure allows for specialized focus while maintaining coordinated strategic direction, positioning SWI Group to capitalize on cross-sector investment themes that increasingly characterize the alternative investment landscape.
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